Off-Duty EMTs Rush to Aid of Shot NYPD Officer

New York City Fire Department paramedics Shaun Alexander, left, and Khadijah Hall stood at the podium during a press conference at FDNY EMS station 58 in Brooklyn Thursday.

Kevin Hagen for The Wall Street Journal

A pair of off-duty emergency technicians who rushed to the aid of an NYPD officer shot in Brooklyn Wednesday said they had no hesitation before jumping into action.

Khadijah Hall and Shaun Alexander, both of the Fire Department of New York’s EMS Station 58 in Brooklyn, were sitting in the parking lot of a White Castle in Crown Heights when Police Officer James Li was shot in the leg and groin after trying to apprehend a man apparently trying to avoid paying the fare on a city bus.

“It was just second nature–we saw it happen and we knew that we had to help,” said Ms. Hall. “It’s who we are. There was no hesitation; there was no second thoughts about it. ”

Rashaun Robinson being led out of the 71st percent in Brooklyn Thursday after his arrest.

Peter J. Smith for The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Li, 26 years old, was transported to Kings County Hospital, where he was being evaluated by doctors for non-life-threatening injuries, officials said Wednesday night. Police arrested Rashun Robinson, 28, on charges including first-degree murder, assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon and other charges. He was awaiting arraignment and couldn’t be reached for comment. It was unclear if an attorney has been assigned to his case.

The duo, both EMT veterans of more than two decades, had been sitting in Ms. Hall’s car in the lot of the White Castle, planning a colleague’s retirement party, when they heard two shots.

They then saw a gunman running down the block, who “turned around and started shooting behind him,” as police officers returned fire, Ms. Hall recounted to reporters at their EMS Station on Thursday morning.

When one of the officers fell down, instinct kicked in, she said.

“Shaun said to me ‘I can’t believe this! You have any gloves?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I have a tech bag in my trunk.’ So immediately I jumped out of my car–I left it running, my door open. … And went to the aid of the officer that was down about 15 feet away from us.” Ms Hall said.

New York City Fire Department paramedic Raymond Laurie, far left, Captain John Scotch, second from right, and paramedic Anthony Terranova, far right, congratulated EMT’s Shaun Alexander, second from left, and Khadijah Hall, center, during a press conference Thursday.

Kevin Hagen for The Wall Street Journal

She said they checked the officer, located his leg wound and applied pressure and dressing. They said he was eager to know if he had been hit elsewhere but remained calm.

“I said, ‘You’re gonna be fine,’ ” Ms. Hall said.

Police said Mr. Li and Officer Randy Chow, both rookies who graduated from the police academy in December and were working in an Operation Impact zone, approached two men as they boarded a bus through the back door without paying the fare. The men tried to flee. Officials said Mr. Robinson, who goes by aliases including Rashaun Robinson, fired several gun shots as he ran, striking Mr. Li.

The pair said that police initially thought they were good Samaritans before learning they were professional first responders. Ms. Hall said she refreshed the tech bag in the trunk of her car last month and called it “phenomenal” that they were in the right place at the right time, since every second can be crucial in such a situation.

Asked if they were heroes, the pair said they were just happy to help.

“I don’t consider myself a hero, ” added Ms. Alexander. “We do this every day; we’re not the only ones that does this. And there’s a lot of us out there. ”